bought tickets in the parking lot for this and the following day's show. This day's tickets turned out to be counterfeit - printed on real Ticketron Stubs, which I have to this day. They told us at the gate that a large quantity of blanks had been stolen on the east coast and were turning up out on the west. In return for pointing out the guy we bought the tickets from, they let us in anyway. Our taping gear went in with a friend who, with the help of some other tapers set it up and rolled. In an example of dead head universe, we easily found them in the crowd and the happy reunion is recorded on our master. Oh yeah, the show was good too.

but no more than an average show, rushed at the end. Vocals are prominent in the mix, unfortunately in this case.

This show and recording present some of the best work the boys did in 1982. An amazing set list and incredible playing here at Frost Amphitheater.

The only thing that detracts from this performance involves a couple of equipment issues that I have always found displeasing when it comes to '82 shows in general. Starting in early 1982, Phil stopped playing his beautiful Doug Irwin Tiger-copy bass (looked almost exactly like Tiger's design with cocobolo wood). After giving up his Alembic Mission Control in '79, Phil developed a loud, punchier sound using the Irwin bass, reminiscent of his amazing '72-'73 tone. When the '82 tours came along, Phil inexplicably dropped the Irwin and started playing . . . standard Fender Jazz basses and a couple of no-name Jazz bass knockoffs. I'm not sure what brand they were, but they looked like something from the "under $100!" rack at a second-hand music store. Their sound was comparable. The Phil Zone suddenly went flat. The bright, crisp, head-splitting bass tones of the past years were gone, replaced by a mushy, muffled, under-driven woofer sound that was often buried in the mix. Bombs became scarce. For those who are listening to '82 shows, there is no problem with the EQ, Phil's bass was really that low in the mix when compared to the other instruments. His unique bass runs and powerful contribution to the Dead's sound almost disappeared. Fans rejoiced when Phil started playing Modulus 6-string basses at the start of '83, returning to his signature sound.

Brent also made a poor instrument choice during this year (IMHO). He started playing a Yamaha CP-70 electric piano, similar to what Keith used from '77-'79 (as seen in the Closing of Winterland DVD). These were some of the first mass-produced electric pianos on the market and their performance and tone left much to be desired. Keith was able to get a deeper, richer sound from his model, but Brent's piano sounds weak and flat. A small toy piano comes to mind when listening to this show. The awesome power of his key-clicking Rhodes piano, something that really made him stand out during '79-'81 was gone, along with Phil's bass tone. This created a huge gap in the band's sound, which was filled in with extra rhythm effort by Bobby.

Brent had his Yamaha modified in '83 and he returned to a Rhodes-esqe electrified sound that I really have come to love. Phil went on to play some of the coolest sounding bass I have ever heard (especially '89-'93).

Just a few observations.

The next night 1st set is the goods

I have listened to both of these shows at the Frost.... Everything is perfect here... The Band is just so tight on these dates.... And these AUDs.... OMG, they so so good especially since they are almost 30 years old. Plus this TOUCH OF GREY.... How can I explain it? Its the best Touch I have evr heard... Jerry is singing it so funky.... Tapes like this make me wish I was 5 years older. I have never done this before... But what the hell.... 5 Stars... hands down.

This and the following show, openers of the tour, were really special - a beautiful venue, incredible music, we reconnected with old friends, and we met new ones we've stayed close to since. Thanks, Charlie, for the awesome conversion of these ancient, though still great, cassettes. I listen to these and I'm just blown away - Sony ECM220T mics! Wild!

I am speechless, joyfully speechless.